CL Qualifying (Third Round): Arsenal Easily Knock Out FC Twente with 4-0 Win (6-0 agg.)
August 28th 2008 17:35
There were two surprises in Arsene Wenger's starting line-up yesterday. First, Fabregas, who has been in the infirmary for the past two weeks, started the game. Secondly, Adebayor was dropped to the bench, leaving his place to Nicklas Bendtner.
It's amazing how one player can influence a team's mentality. With Fabregas back in the line-up, Arsenal players seemed a lot more calm, and could count on the midfielder to find them anywhere on the field. Fabregas also helped defensively, supporting his teammates with tackles here and there and winning back the ball. Since Arsenal dominated the midfield, it should come as no surprise that they were the ones to open the scoring at the 26th minute. In the play, Walcott's cross - sent to no one in particular – was intercepted by a defender. Then, a determined Van Persie tackled the player to win back the ball which made its way to Samir Nasri. The French midfielder got rid of two defenders by feinting the shot, entered the box, and beat the keeper with a low left-foot shot to the far post. Ten minutes later, Van Persie missed a wide open net to the bemusement of everyone watching. With all the time in the world and a goalkeeper out of position, the Dutch striker somehow found a way to strike the ball outside of the left post instead of shooting straight in the middle. The Gunners would waste another opportunity right before half-time when Walcott, alone against the goalkeeper, decided to cross the ball to Bendtner who was arriving late. This tendency to always look for his teammates, although honorable, is major flaw in Walcott's play. It's like this process is hardwired into his brain – run down the wing, cross; run down the wing, cross; that's all he seems to do when playing on the right wing. Although the first half only ended 1-0, Twente had a mountain to climb if they were to have any chance of going through since they were down 3-0 on aggregate.
Steve McLaren's troops didn't have to rally in the beginning of the second half as William Gallas scored his team's second goal at the 51st minute. Up 2-0, Arsenal's defenders started to become a bit complacent, and a lack of concentration at the 55th minute almost cost them a goal. However, ten minutes later, Walcott would put the game beyond doubt with a beautiful curling shot at the edge of the box that left no chance to the keeper. The goal was eerily similar to Thierry Henry's signature goals, and showed that the young winger actually has a decent shot, he simply won't use it. Finally, Bendtner put the final nail in the coffin two minutes before the final whistle after a smart backheel from Denilson.
Many people will say that Arsenal put up a much better performance yesterday than in the past couple of weeks. Although that may be true, FC Twente didn't pose any threats to the Gunners' defense which was pretty inactive for most of the game. If Twente players were as combative as the Standard de Liege who held Liverpool by the throat until the final minutes of extra-time yesterday, this match would've had a whole different story.
Arsenal's line-up: Manuel Almunia; Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Johan Djourou, Gael Clichy; Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas (Alexandre Song, 66th), Denilson, Samir Nasri (Emmanuel Eboue, h-t); Robin Van Persie (Emmanuel Adebayor, 64th), Nicklas Bendtner.
It's amazing how one player can influence a team's mentality. With Fabregas back in the line-up, Arsenal players seemed a lot more calm, and could count on the midfielder to find them anywhere on the field. Fabregas also helped defensively, supporting his teammates with tackles here and there and winning back the ball. Since Arsenal dominated the midfield, it should come as no surprise that they were the ones to open the scoring at the 26th minute. In the play, Walcott's cross - sent to no one in particular – was intercepted by a defender. Then, a determined Van Persie tackled the player to win back the ball which made its way to Samir Nasri. The French midfielder got rid of two defenders by feinting the shot, entered the box, and beat the keeper with a low left-foot shot to the far post. Ten minutes later, Van Persie missed a wide open net to the bemusement of everyone watching. With all the time in the world and a goalkeeper out of position, the Dutch striker somehow found a way to strike the ball outside of the left post instead of shooting straight in the middle. The Gunners would waste another opportunity right before half-time when Walcott, alone against the goalkeeper, decided to cross the ball to Bendtner who was arriving late. This tendency to always look for his teammates, although honorable, is major flaw in Walcott's play. It's like this process is hardwired into his brain – run down the wing, cross; run down the wing, cross; that's all he seems to do when playing on the right wing. Although the first half only ended 1-0, Twente had a mountain to climb if they were to have any chance of going through since they were down 3-0 on aggregate.
Steve McLaren's troops didn't have to rally in the beginning of the second half as William Gallas scored his team's second goal at the 51st minute. Up 2-0, Arsenal's defenders started to become a bit complacent, and a lack of concentration at the 55th minute almost cost them a goal. However, ten minutes later, Walcott would put the game beyond doubt with a beautiful curling shot at the edge of the box that left no chance to the keeper. The goal was eerily similar to Thierry Henry's signature goals, and showed that the young winger actually has a decent shot, he simply won't use it. Finally, Bendtner put the final nail in the coffin two minutes before the final whistle after a smart backheel from Denilson.
Many people will say that Arsenal put up a much better performance yesterday than in the past couple of weeks. Although that may be true, FC Twente didn't pose any threats to the Gunners' defense which was pretty inactive for most of the game. If Twente players were as combative as the Standard de Liege who held Liverpool by the throat until the final minutes of extra-time yesterday, this match would've had a whole different story.
Arsenal's Goals
Arsenal's line-up: Manuel Almunia; Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Johan Djourou, Gael Clichy; Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas (Alexandre Song, 66th), Denilson, Samir Nasri (Emmanuel Eboue, h-t); Robin Van Persie (Emmanuel Adebayor, 64th), Nicklas Bendtner.
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